On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, NASCAR awarded RFK Racing co-owner Jack Roush with the second Bill France Award of Excellence honor. Following the major news ahead of the 2026 season, Roush became the first individual in the stock car racing industry to receive the award twice in his career.
Jack Roush founded Roush Racing in 1988, and since then, the team has clinched championship titles in all three series. The team later evolved into Roush-Fenway Keselowski Racing and remained a top contender on the grid.
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Roush was given the nickname “The Cat in the Hat” for the straw, which became a well-recognized part of his appearance. He identified and fielded some of the greatest drivers in stock car racing. The list includes Mark Martin, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, and the late Greg Biffle.
Reflecting on Roush’s contributions, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France stated:
“For decades, Jack Roush has helped move NASCAR forward while staying true to what makes the sport special. He has built championship-caliber teams and developed generations of drivers and leaders. Jack’s legacy extends far beyond victories, leaving a mark throughout the sport and reflecting the enduring impact this award was created to honor.”
The governing body named the award after Bill France, the founder of NASCAR. The Bill France Award of Excellence is not handed out annually, but to individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport. The maiden award was first presented in 1953, and Roush got his first award back in 2001.
Roush Racing (now RFK Racing) has secured two back-to-back Cup Series championship titles in 2003 and 2004. The team also clinched five Xfinity Series titles between 2002 and 2015. Additionally, the stock car racing team secured one Truck Series title in 2000.
NASCAR inducted three names into the Hall of Fame Class of 2026
In 2025, NASCAR announced the 2026 Hall of Fame Class of 2026 entries. Former stock car racing drivers Kurt Busch, Ray Hendrick, and Harry Gant made it to the list this year. Each year, the governing body inducts multiple individuals into the Hall of Fame, focusing on those who showcased incredible skills in the sport.
The decision was the aftermath of the voting among the panel, and they named Busch, Gant, and Hendrick as their top choices. Also, Humpy Wheeler, the former president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway, will join the trio for the Landmark Award.
The votes were divided into two categories: the Modern Era and the Pioneer. Following that, Kurt Busch and Harry Gant received 61% of the votes, while Jeb Burton came in third. Meanwhile, Hendrick clinched 31% of the votes in the Pioneer division, overshadowing Bob Welborn, who secured second place.
The Hall of Fame class of 2026 is scheduled for January 23, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center in North Carolina. The NASCAR Channel will exclusively broadcast the event at 4:45 p.m. with the Red Carpet appearances, followed by the main event at 8 p.m. ET.
Edited by Karan Yadav
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